Toronto Public Health has launched ePET, a new online licensing service for dog and cat owners living in Toronto. ePET allows pet owners to easily comply with the City’s bylaw requirements that all dogs and cats be licensed annually.

To help promote the new service, free passes to the Toronto Zoo will be given to people who get a pet licence online. For the next 50 days, one lucky winner each day using the online service will receive two zoo passes.

“Online pet licensing is one more City service that is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be accessed from the comfort of your own home,” said Councillor Paula Fletcher, Chair of the Animal Services Subcommittee of the Board of Health. “This will definitely make it easier for pet owners to meet the licensing requirements in Toronto.”

Many pets will be lost at least once in their lifetime, and a licence helps them get home safely.

“Losing a pet can be a traumatic experience for the owner, and potentially harmful for the pet. Toronto Animal Services staff who find a dog or cat with a City-issued licence can quickly reunite the lost pet with its owner,” said Councillor John Filion, Chair of the Board of Health.

Failure to license your cat or dog each year may result in a $240 ticket. If you are taken to court, the maximum penalty is a $5,000 fine.

Toronto Animal Services has five animal shelters throughout the city, and is part of Toronto Public Health. The shelters have adoption, volunteer and fostering programs and spay/neuter clinics. Animal Services staff respond to calls about lost, stray or injured animals, and offer education sessions to children on animal care and safety.

To license your pet today, and get a chance to win passes to the zoo, visit http://www.toronto.ca/epet and follow the simple steps. Licences are also available by phone, mail or in person. Call 416-338-PETS (7387) for further details.